Madhya Pradesh Invites Proposals for Solar Power Projects

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Researched by Industrial Info Resources India (Delhi, India)--The state government of Madhya Pradesh is proposing the construction of solar power projects with up to 100 megawatts (MW) of capacity in various parts of the state, in a bid to reduce its dependence on fossil fuels and to meet its Renewable Power Purchase Obligation.

The New and Renewable Energy Department of Madhya Pradesh (MPNRED) (Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh) is inviting proposals from the developers of solar power projects to establish, maintain and operate solar photovoltaic and solar thermal power plants in the state, as specified under Category II and Category III of the state's solar policy, titled "Implementation of Solar Power Projects in Madhya Pradesh -- 2012."

According to the request for proposal (RfP) issued by the commissioner for MPNRED, the prospective developers who are interested in applying for more than one project would be required to submit separate applications for each project. The energy department will consider proposals up to 100 MW of cumulative capacity from an individual developer. The projects are to be located on government land at various sites identified by the prospective developers, or on the sites notified by MPNRED across the state. The last day to submit a proposal is April 30, 2013.

The Madhya Solar policy, issued in July 2012, has classified solar projects into four categories: Category I projects are developed through a competitive bidding process for selling power to the distribution companies in the state; Category II projects are set up for captive use, or for the sale of power to third-party procurers within or outside the state; and Category III and Category IV are projects established under the Renewable Energy Certificate (REC) mechanism and Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission (JNNSM), respectively.

Madhya Pradesh is endowed with high solar irradiation, with about 300 days of clear sun. With an average insulation of 5.5 kilowatt hours per square meter per day, the state offers good sites for installation of solar-based power plants. The state government has taken up various initiatives to tap this resource for strengthening renewable power infrastructure in the state by setting up solar energy-based power projects.

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